10/8/2013 |
Maddon's bullpen magic runs out in seventhRays manager Joe Maddon did not hesitate to call on his bullpen during Game 4 after Jeremy Hellickson struggled. And Maddon and the relief corps nearly navigated a perfect plan, but then it all fell apart in the seventh inning.

10/8/2013 |
Baldelli back on the field at the Trop for first pitchRocco Baldelli, who played for both the Rays and the Red Sox during his playing days and is now a special assistant with Tampa Bay, threw out a ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday.

10/8/2013 |
Scioscia, Dipoto to return in 2014Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto and long-time skipper Mike Scioscia will both be staying on for next season, despite year-long speculation that at least one of them would be dismissed after a fourth consecutive playoff absence.

10/8/2013 |
Tigers rally behind Scherzer to force Game 5The Tigers earned the right to go to a winner-take-all Game 5 of their American League Division Series thanks to their 8-6, comeback win over the A's in Game 4 on Tuesday night at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer earned the win with two innings of relief.

10/8/2013 |
Lobaton's walk-off blast an historic one for RaysNot only did Jose Lobaton become the first Rays player to homer into the Rays Touch Tank -- and the third player overall since it was installed in 2006 -- his home run deflected off the glove of a fan wearing a No. 29 Dan Johnson jersey. Lobaton's home run was the 46th walk-off home run in postseason history and first for the Rays.

10/8/2013 |
Farrell stands by decisions from Game 3There were some tough decisions for manager John Farrell to make in the late innings of Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Monday night, and the fact that the Red Sox suffered a 5-4 loss to the Rays meant there would be some second-guessing.

10/8/2013 |
Astros determined to boost local TV coverageAstros owner Jim Crane said on Tuesday that the team will continue to fight to receive a fair-market television deal to help ensure a competitive product on the field, while stressing the importance of more fans being able to see the team's games on television next season.

10/8/2013 |
Verlander: Game 5 start 'not just another game'After dominating the Athletics in Game 2 of the American League Division Series -- seven shutout innings, four hits, 11 strikeouts -- Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander began preparing himself to pitch the decisive Game 5 if this playoff matchup got that far. Which is kind of interesting since he wasn't supposed to start Game 5. Max Scherzer was.

10/8/2013 |
Hurdle predicts pickup from Marte-Walker duoStarling Marte and Neil Walker have combined to go 1-for-31 atop the lineup in the NLDS, but manager Clint Hurdle expects a pickup from his usually reliable one-two punch.

10/8/2013 |
Cole embraces 'high-pressure situation'At PNC Park, the Pirates have depended on their 10th Man, those crowds clad in black that raised a racket and likely the hairs on the backs of some of the Cardinals' necks. In Busch Stadium on Wednesday, the Bucs will rely on their Ninth Man, Gerrit Cole.

10/8/2013 |
Cubs re-sign Sweeney with two-year contractThe Cubs have signed outfielder Ryan Sweeney to a two-year, $3.5 million contract. Sweeney will get $1.5 million in 2014 and again in '15, and the Cubs hold a $2.5 million option for '16 that includes a $500,000 buyout.

10/8/2013 |
Miller staying prepared in bullpenShelby Miller is on standby. After starting 31 games in the regular season, the rookie right-hander was relegated to the bullpen for the National League Division Series, and he is ready in his new role for whenever his name is called.

10/8/2013 |
Second look at Waino could be just what Bucs needSecond looks, which Pittsburgh will be getting on Wednesday at the Cardinals' Game 1 starter, have not be as easy for Adam Wainwright. In this era of 15-team leagues plus Interleague Play games, two series between teams in a concentrated timeframe are rare, and Wainwright has had to make consecutive starts against the same team only three times the last couple of years.

10/8/2013 |
A's monitoring 'run down' ParkerAfter Jarrod Parker looked off while exiting after five innings in Game 3 of the ALDS, the A's will monitor the right-hander to make sure he's on track for a potential start in the ALCS.

10/8/2013 |
A's put Balfour incident behind themFollowing Grant Balfour's ninth-inning run-in with Detroit's Victor Martinez in Oakland's 6-3 Game 3 victory in the American League Division Series on Monday, A's manager Bob Melvin had moved on and didn't feel the need to speak with his veteran closer about the incident.

10/8/2013 |
Pirates counting on Cole, relief corps for big outsSmall margins can determine the future, especially between teams who are separated by such a razor-thin margin. This will be the 24th time the Cardinals and Pirates have played each other this season. While the first two games of the NLDS were one-sided, it will be a surprise if winning this one doesn't require Jason Grilli and his brethren in the Shark Tank bullpen to survive some agonizing moments.

10/8/2013 |
Mariners claim Angels prospect, designate BlancoTravis Witherspoon, a 24-year-old center fielder in the Angels organization, was claimed off waivers Tuesday by the Mariners and added to their 40-man roster. To make room, Henry Blanco was designated for assignment.

10/8/2013 |
Lineup breakdown: A's-Tigers, Game 4Here is a look at Tuesday's starting lineups for Game 4 of the American League Division Series between the Tigers and the Athletics.